Does losing weight really help with Diabetes?

doctordun · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 04:50 PM

I am rapidly losing weight, about 2 pounds a week, based on the fact that my carbohydrate intake has been dramatically reduced.
I read everywhere that weight loss will greatly enhance your diabetes control and perhaps even eliminate the need for drugs.
Has this been the experience in the real world? I don't always believe the "experts".

LoDeSp · #2 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 04:55 PM

I don't know if weight loss alone will eliminate the need for drugs, but weight loss + dramatic carb reduction can eliminate the need for drugs. I had an A1C of 6.8 at diagnosis (70 pounds ago), and my latest A1C was 5.6. I was on Metformin and Actos at different times, but was able to get off of both. However, I didn't see a big drop in my daily blood sugar levels until I went to a lower carb diet (30-40% of calories), especially at breakfast.

pdxdennisj · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 05:42 PM

absolutely true. I weighed 215 pound when I was Dx'ed wit a FBS of 325. I was placed on a couple of oral meds and a diet. In a few months I weighed 185 pounds and went off meds for a couple of years until I gained some of it back - requiring me to start meds again.

mho357 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 05:54 PM

Me too - I was 219 with an a1c of 7.0. Now I'm 45 lbs lighter and my a1c is steady at 5.4. Of course, I don't eat the same way that I used to either. The doc prescribed metformin but I didn't take it. Now he says I don't need to.

Mark

Evermont · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 06:05 PM

It would not surprise me at all to find that losing excess weight has the desired affect for MOST T2's but that there are a small minority that have a kind of T2 that is not associated with obesity. For these unfortunate few losing weight is just a "really good idea" for many reasons, T2 not being one of them.

Think of it as two different kinds of T2.

It would also not surprise me to learn that a small fraction of T2's actually have BOTH types of T2. Throw some T1 types in if you like along with the notion that a person can have more than one type of diabetes. Ouch.

xMenace · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:15 PM

Generally if you are 'obese' then losing significant weight can eliminate the need for meds. But it is not a guaranteed thing.

If you consider that there are very few fat old people, then regardless of whether you eliminate the need for drugs, losing weight is a good thing. Keep at it!

Kim_in_TN · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:19 PM

This is something that I am in the midst of finding out on my own as well. At my last check-up, I was changed from Metformin and Actos combo to Metformin w/Janumet now. My D.E. said that I should drop weight just from getting off of the Actos. In addition, it helps curb your appetite ... the Janumet. Well, I know that I have lost some weight, not sure of the amount as I don't want to weigh myself until my next appointment. One thing is for sure though, I'm eating much less and my numbers are MUCH better! Tonight was the first night I was naughty with my carbs and my BG was higher than it has been in a while, but still within range. I won't mess up again though because these past three weeks I have felt SO good! I have 5 more weeks until my next check-up so I am hoping to have had markable weight loss! Wish me luck ... and continued good luck to you too!

beau91 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 09:46 PM

It's true ,when I was diagnosed in 93 .they sent me 1n 94 to see a dietist .I followed the diet drop from 195lbs to 165lbs .was easier to control.I went up to 185lbs in 2005 took my pension & diagnosed with Parkinson disease .I drop everything now my weight is 264lbs everything goes bad Diabetes,Parkinson,Blood pressure.So loosing weight is a must
Starting to follow the same diet from 94 +exercise I have to lose at least 80 lbs for a starter will see after. Bye Ricky

pokie · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 12:04 AM

I briefly discussed weight with my doc at my last checkup (which found my blood sugar still in poor control despite 2 oral meds and Lantus; so he added Novolog with every meal)

He did not seem concerned with my weight as being a big contributing factor even though I am probably 40+ pounds too heavy.

orpy · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 04:59 AM

Alas, for me, no. I'm down to 115 and still struggling...I get very tired of hearing about type II and being overweight. I never have been overweight and losing more weight really isn't such a great thing for me. My clothes are hanging off of me. On my bad days, I hate it that I am skinny and diabetic because I feel like I got punished for nothing. On my good days, I try to forget it all together. What's the point of such restrictive dieting if my numbers keep going up? As you can see, it's a bad day.

pauloft · #11 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 05:42 AM

Weightloss is an important factor in controlling blood sugar level - so are diet, rest, and exercise. All these factors need attention simultaneously.

Losing weight is key, though, as shown in several research studies. I can think of one study done at the University of Kentucky that showed that dietary and body fat can cause the onset of type 2 diabetes and also make it worse.

Losing 60 lbs give you 5 more years to live (on average) according to some authors (Health Power, by Diehl and Luddington).

doctordun · #12 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orpy

Alas, for me, no. I'm down to 115 and still struggling...I get very tired of hearing about type II and being overweight. I never have been overweight and losing more weight really isn't such a great thing for me. My clothes are hanging off of me. On my bad days, I hate it that I am skinny and diabetic because I feel like I got punished for nothing. On my good days, I try to forget it all together. What's the point of such restrictive dieting if my numbers keep going up? As you can see, it's a bad day.

I know. I have a friend who is quite thin, has type 2, and still takes meds and has trouble with his diet. That's why I asked the question.

princesslinda · #13 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 06:24 AM

I think losing weight (if you need to) is a great idea and will help your quality of life in so many different ways. I have lost 80 lbs since diagnosis and, while i'm still on medication for my diabetes, I feel SO MUCH BETTER and have so much more energy. I used to get "winded" just walking from the car to my office, now I can even carry on a conversation while I walk up the 5 flights of steps to the office each morning. Before, it was the elevator for me.

Extra weight puts stress on all parts of your body. While I still have a ways to go before I reach my "goal," I can say for certain that it has changed my life, whether I ever get of diabetic meds or not!

EasyType2 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 06:30 AM

If you are overweight, then losing the excess is definitely good for you, whether you are diabetic or not.

I had an uncle (now deceased at about age 75) and he was T2 for the last 20 years of his life, and he never had an ounce of fat on his scrawny body. He's an exception.

Scratch · #15 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orpy

Alas, for me, no. I'm down to 115 and still struggling...I get very tired of hearing about type II and being overweight. I never have been overweight and losing more weight really isn't such a great thing for me. My clothes are hanging off of me. On my bad days, I hate it that I am skinny and diabetic because I feel like I got punished for nothing. On my good days, I try to forget it all together. What's the point of such restrictive dieting if my numbers keep going up? As you can see, it's a bad day.

Out of curiosity, have you had c-peptide and GAD antibodies drawn for your bloodwork? If you haven't, it certainly sounds like it would be well worth it.